Allen West boosted staff pay after defeat

William E. Gibson

Former South Florida Congressman Allen West boosted his staff salaries by 88 percent in the fourth quarter of last year before leaving office, according to LegiStorm, a website that tracks congressional salaries.

West -- a Republican tea party favorite from Palm Beach Gardens, who sharply criticized federal spending -- paid his staff $81,525 more in the fourth quarter than in the previous quarter, LegisStorm found.

He was among many House members who apparently paid big bonuses while on their way out the door.

West was narrowly defeated by Democrat Patrick Murphy in a newly drawn district in November after one of the nation’s most expensive congressional elections.

West raised a whopping $19.4 million and spent $18.5 million in a losing effort, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Most of that money came from conservatives from around the country who backed his blunt-spoken style of politics, including scathing attacks on runaway federal spending.

West has become program director of PJ Media's Next GenerationTV, an online network, while developing a political action committee to fight against President Obama’s agenda.